Aquarius Zodiac Sign: Personality Traits, Compatibility & More

Aquarius: a logical, enigmatic individual with a constantly-moving mind and an unorthodox approach to life.

Aquarius is the eleventh zodiac sign on the wheel between Capricorn and Pisces, and are often typed as more community-minded than Capricorns but less emotionally engaged than their Pisces neighbors.  Aquarius is often known as independent, innovative, and a person who marches to the beat of their own drum.

Aquarius tends to place more of a focus on what can benefit society on a larger scale, and while they are friendly, they also tend to be more reclusive toward forming intense relationships with those around them. Anyone who has ever encountered an Aquarius knows they have a unique perspective on the world that draws others in while maintaining significant independence. 

Aquarius Personality Traits

Some of the most commonly associated Aquarius traits are eccentric, inventive, reflective, and determined. Aquarius signs are known for their one-of-a-kind interests and perspectives—they aren’t ones to hop on the bandwagon regarding what is popular or comfortable.

Aquarius Strengths

• Eccentricity and Inventiveness: Their unique interests and perspectives set them apart, and they are not afraid to explore unconventional ideas and are great at big picture thinking.
  
• Reflective and Determined: Aquarius signs have a strong desire for knowledge and understanding, driven to explore various opinions and beliefs.
  
• Exceptional Team Players/Leaders: While highly individualistic, they know how to bring people together under a common goal and provide inspiration.
  
• Ambitious and Socially-Conscious: Aquarius signs are often drawn to ambitious projects, social justice issues, or environmental causes, wanting to be part of something bigger.
  
• Intelligence and Wit: They are incredibly intelligent, with a unique sense of humor and an endearing distinctness.

Aquarius Weaknesses

• Emotional Detachment: They may struggle to express or experience emotions in relationships, preferring a more practical, rational approach.
  
• Stubbornness: Aquarius signs can be exceptionally stubborn once they’ve made up their mind and may resist critiques or opposing opinions.
  
• Aversion to Commitment: They value their personal space and alone time, and may be hesitant to make solid commitments to people unless they are entirely sure they can meet them.
  
• Struggles in Maintaining Close Connections: While they have many acquaintances, their closer connections can struggle to deepen due to their individualistic ways and tendency to keep themselves at a distance.

Things That Make Aquarius Happy

Aquarius finds joy in activities that nurture their intellectual curiosity, here a few examples.

• Spending time immersed in thought clouds or philosophical discussion
• Trying out new technological gadgets or software
• Keeping a journal to document thoughts and experiences;
• Appreciating the art of music
• Embracing quiet moments and feeling joy about the prospects of humanity
• Volunteering for causes that move them on a deep level
• Exploring nature, stargazing, and engaging in mindfulness activities
• Hosting small, intimate gatherings with friends

Aquarius Humor

Aquarius is simply funny in a very natural way. They don’t try to be a joker or make people laugh, but they do. This bewilders them and often leaves them giggling along out of confusion, or just giggling at the absurdity of everything.

Aquarius Fun Facts

If Aquarius was…

• A Starbucks Drink: Peppermint Mocha
• A Greek God: Poseidon—god of the sea  
• An Addiction: Video games
• An Alcoholic Beverage: Jägermeister
• In a High-school Clique: Band Geeks
• A City: Dubai, UAE
• A Harry Potter House: Ravenclaw
• An Untranslatable French Phrase: A l’ouest—describing someone a little strange or different
• A Teen Movie: “The Princess Diaries” 
• A Clothing Item: Colored Shorts
• A Famous Landmark: The Leaning Tower of Pisa
• A Season: Spring

What All Signs Can Expect During Aquarius Season

When Aquarius season rolls around each year, there is a desire to benefit the collective more than ourselves—especially when walking about systems or ideas of improving society (or at least the portion of it immediately surrounding us). We crave intellectual stimulation and innovation and may even feel the need to spend more time alone than usual to sit with our thoughts. 

Aquarius Relationship Compatibility

Despite their reserved nature, Aquarius signs enjoy connecting with people and make remarkable friends and companions. These signs have a genuine love for humanity as a whole, but they aren’t the biggest fans of expressing or experiencing the emotional side of relationships. Their rational nature is very practical and segmented, and the messiness of emotion isn’t their strong suit (unless they have other zodiac placements that are more in tune with the emotional realm). 

Most Compatible Signs

Aquarius lovers are keen on wanting partners that are intelligent, honest, and lively. They thrive in relationships that feel entirely secure and let them be who they are freely. Trust is the key to a strong relationship with Aquarius individuals; if they feel betrayed or mistrusting, the relationship is as good as over. While they’re not the most emotional of the zodiac, they can be extremely romantic with the right partner. They love a partner that challenges them, teaches them new things everyday, and encourages new experiences in each others lives. They are most compatible with fellow air signs (Libra & Gemini) but also with fire signs because opposites do indeed attract.

Most compatible signs for Aquarius:

The signs Aquarius usually gravitate towards are:

• Gemini: Gemini is a fellow air sign and has their own desire for freedom and open-mindedness that Aquarius appreciates. While these signs may differ in their approach, a familiarity exists between them that makes it easy to connect.
  
• Libra: Another air sign, Libra values freedom and openness just as much as Aquarius. And while Gemini and Aquarius particularly bond over intellectual debates and shared knowledge, Aquarius and Libra may bond more over a desire to help others and improve society and bond in this way.
  
• Leo: Leo is on the opposite side of the zodiac wheel from Aquarius, and the two may seem as different as night and day—yet they form two parts of a whole that value both the individual and the collective, and their personalities often acknowledge and appreciate this. Leo isn’t afraid to do what must be done to achieve a common goal, and Aquarius doesn’t care what others think of them as long as their general vision is successful. Leos teach Aquarians how to care for themselves, and Aquarians show Leos how to direct their fire and generosity toward a goal that benefits everyone.

It’s also worth noting that Aquarius signs may be compatible with Sagittarius and Aries, the other fire signs.

Least Compatible Signs

Aquarius lovers struggle the most to relate with water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, & Pisces) because they tend to handle emotions much differently. They also struggle with earth sign compatibility (Taurus, Virgo, & Capricorn) because their desired lifestyles are vastly different—Aquarius values liberated adventure while earth signs tend to find routine, stability, and structure in their day-to-day.

Least compatible signs for Aquarius:

• Cancer
• Scorpio
• Taurus

Aquarius in Love and Dating

Aquarius signs desire a deep connection that feels almost transcendent. They want a partner who can respect their space, connect with them on an intellectual level, and have an open mind when it comes to the world around them. They are even more drawn to those who value friendship as a foundation and aren’t afraid to take their time to build a relationship, as their approach to love is often slow and steady.

Key traits of an Aquarius in love:

• Sarcastic joking
• Thoughtful
• Plans intentional time together
• Insightful conversation
• Honesty
• Loyalty
• Comfort

Aquarius Family Members

Family relationships with Aquarius tend to vary and can at times be complex. While Aquarius individuals are very loyal, reliable, and caring, they are also very self-reliant and independent from a young age. This means, while Aquarius individuals love their family deeply and want to support them, they also need their space and will rarely rely on their family for any sort of help. To their loved ones, Aquarius may come off cold or stand-offish, but really it’s just in their nature to be as self-sufficient as possible.

As parents, Aquarius individuals are dedicated to setting their children up for success. They’re great at showing affection and care in practical ways. The heart grows softer when children come into the picture for Aquarius because watching their family grow, pulls on their compassionate, altruistic heartstrings.

Qualities of an Aquarius family member:

• Family planner
• Independent
• Loyal
• Reliable

Aquarius Friendships

Aquarius has an abundance of friends, a fact that cannot be overstated. Their affinity for networking and social media plays a significant role in this. Their peers highly regard them for their distinct perspective and the cool detachment they display. Despite their aloofness, Aquarians are known for their deep loyalty and compassion as friends. They are acutely aware of their friends’ struggles and actively seek to support them. Aquarians balance their social nature with a need for solitude, often transitioning abruptly between the two. It’s common for an Aquarius to be the center of attention at a gathering one moment and then discreetly exit the next.

Top signs for friendship compatibility:

• Aquarius
• Sagittarius
• Gemini
• Aries

Aquarius Symbology

Aquarius individuals are linked to a variety of symbols and emblems that represent their eccentric yet powerful influence. The most prominent symbol that comes to mind for an Aquarius is their profound connection to water.

Aquarius Glyph/Symbol

The symbol or glyph representing Aquarius is shown as two parallel, zig-zag lines that are meant to represent water (as associated with their symbol of the “water-bearer.”) 

Aquarius Animal

While some zodiac signs are represented by an animal, this isn’t true for all signs. In Aquarius’s case, the “animal” that represents them is actually a character known as the “water bearer.” This depiction shows a person holding a vessel that they are pouring out, with “lines” of water or electricity flowing out of it. This is often meant to showcase the Aquarius traits of humanitarianism and their futuristic-focused mindset.

In Greek mythology, this water bearer is thought to be associated with Ganymede, who Zeus took into the heavens to serve as a water bearer for the greek gods. Like Ganymede, Aquarius is often associated with being eccentric, opinionated, and graceful. The water-bearer often points to Aquarius’ desire to pour out what they have in service of others rather than hoarding it for themselves. 

Despite being represented by the water bearer, there are animals that are occasionally associated with Aquarius, such as birds. Birds, particularly tropical ones, often reflect an Aquarius’ desire for freedom.

Aquarius Birthstone

Aquamarine is often associated with youth, beauty, happiness, and pleasure. The gem is often thought to help calm the mind and rid a person of distractions/obsessions, and given the Aquarius’ tendency to stay stuck in their minds, they certainly can use all the help they can get to mentally regulate. 

Aquarius Element

Despite the potentially confusing prefix “aqua” and their water bearer symbol, Aquarius, along with Libra and Gemini, is an air sign. 

Air signs are described as communicative, social, and intellectual. They tend to approach life with an open mind and love to intellectualize situations and emotions. They are far more comfortable discussing things that aren’t tangible or physical (such as theories, ideas, and possibilities) and tend to have a quick wit and fast pace about them. Air signs are the social butterflies you want in your circle to expand your mind and help you see the world differently.

Aquarius Modality

The modality for Aquarius is fixed, along with Taurus, Scorpio, and Leo.

Fixed signs are often depicted as those who are determined and a bit set in their ways. They are the ones to hold fast to their convictions, and it takes a large amount of determination and circumstance to sway them. Fixed signs are often ones to keep things grounded and steady and are the ones you want in your corner to see things through to the very end. If you want your ideas and plans to come to fruition, you’ll absolutely need a Fixed sign on your team to ensure things stay on course. 

Aquarius Planetary Ruler

Each zodiac sign is ruled by a particular planet in the solar system—yet for some zodiac signs, multiple planets may hold rulership. In the case of Aquarius, the two ruling planets are Saturn and Uranus.

In traditional astrology, Aquarius is thought to be ruled by Saturn (along with their zodiac neighbor Capricorn). Saturn is the planet of restrictions, boundaries, life lessons, and karma. While Capricorn holds fast to the tradition and consistency of Saturn, Aquarius represents different qualities. Aquarius signs want to learn how systems work and are willing to respect tradition—until those systems are no longer valuable or beneficial to society as a whole. Aquarius signs benefit from the fixed, determined, and often detached qualities Saturn bestows, as they aren’t afraid to take their time to see things through.

However, in modern astrology, Aquarius is thought to be ruled by the planet Uranus. Uranus is the planet of eccentricity, modern life, dramatic shifts, and freedom—very much in tune with the general view of Aquarius. Uranus is known as the “rebellious” planet, and in true out-of-the-box fashion, it is the only planet to orbit on its side! Aquarius’ desire to shake things up and, *ahem* put its personal spin on things is very well reflected in this particular planet.

Aquarius House Ruler

Aquarius signs are typically ruled by the eleventh house on the astrological wheel, representing friendship, networking, and social life. This house is one to look to when figuring out the types of friends you’re drawn to, as well as how to work together with others toward common goals and dreams. In order for things to come to fruition, you need support—which falls right in line with typical Aquarius values.

Aquarius Tarot Card

The tarot card associated with Aquarius signs is known as “The Star.”

The card depicts a water bearer (the Aquarian symbol) standing by a stream. This card is often affiliated with hope and new beginnings and offers a good omen for those looking to start fresh. The desire for something new and inventive after being stuck in a consistent rut aligns well with Aquarius’ traits of ingenuity and new perspectives.

Aquarius Part of The Body 

The part of the body ruled by Aquarius is the calves, shins, ankles, and circulatory system. Aquarius signs (particularly rising signs) may have very defined calves or enjoy running/marathons as an activity that works these specific areas of the body. Ankle injuries aren’t uncommon amongst Aquarians, and they should take note to treat these areas with care. 

Astrology Big Three — Aquarius Edition

A common term in astrology is someone’s “big three,” which consists of a person’s sun sign, moon sign, and rising sign. Your sun sign represents your core traits while your moon sign speaks to your emotional landscape and your rising sign displays how you appear in the world.

Your sun sign is coordinated by the day you were born. For example, someone who is an Aquarius sun sign is born between the dates of January 20th and February 18th. Your moon sign is coordinated by the placement of the moon on the exact time you were born. Your rising sign, also known as your ‘ascendant sign,’ is calculated by the exact time of your birth on your birthday. All of these signs can be found by having your full birth chart calculated.

Aquarius Sun

Those with their sun in Aquarius are known to be open-minded, empathetic, and friendly. They seek to better humanity and tend to love exploring new ideas and concepts that connect to the greater good. Aquarius natives are also known to be fabulous listeners. 

However, it’s common for an Aquarius to appear aloof or closed off as they enjoy taking part in a greater collective rather than individual endeavors.

In fact, this entire page highlights the core aspects of a sun sign in Aquarius so for more information, continue reading.

Aquarius Moon

The moon sign in astrology is most closely associated with a person’s emotions and inner world.

Like their fellow air signs, Aquarius moons are prone to intellectualizing emotions over feeling them. These moons are brilliant and able to work through issues in a straightforward manner, but their methods can come across as cold or unfeeling to some. If they are particularly overwhelmed with emotion, they often will take time to themselves to sort through the feelings—they prefer to handle those matters themselves rather than allow another person to see them like that.

Despite their reserved nature, Aquarius moons do have deep emotions and feel things, but they prefer to have a sense of control over them or at least the illusion of it. They often require plenty of space in relationships, but it’s essential they learn to communicate this need rather than ghost someone altogether. 

In many cases, an Aquarius moon may best show their emotions through acts of service or physical touch. Aquarius moons love communicating about matters of the mind, but matters of the heart are often demonstrated through tangible, physical means—and they prefer it that way. To an Aquarius moon, love and affection don’t have to be approached in an orthodox or traditional way, which may cause issues for those who expect more typical expressions of love. These signs approach their feelings and relationships the way they do anything else in life—with curiosity and an out of the box mindset.

Aquarius Rising 

The rising sign in astrology is the version of yourself that you present to the world—the side of you that others see. This part of your chart ties mostly to your identity and your self-image.

Like their Sun sign counterparts, Aquarius risings come across as unique and individualistic—people often notice them, whether the sign wants to be perceived or not. They can initially come across as stoic or calm in demeanor, which can make some unsure of how to approach them. However, they are incredibly friendly and warm once they connect with someone over a shared interest or stimulating conversation. These signs often carry confidence that draws others in, and it can work well in their favor.

Regarding appearance, Aquarius Risings typically have soft, dreamy eyes and well-defined legs/calves. Some may have broad foreheads, hips, or shoulders. Their face and expressions often ride the line between reserved with a bit of sparkle in the eyes that can come across as mischievous or playful. They aren’t overtly physical but tend to have a significant presence in a room.

Famous Aquarius Celebrities

Some notable people with a Sun Sign in Aquarius include:

• Harry Styles, musician, 1994
• Evan Peters, actor, 1987
• Alicia Keys, singer, 1981
• Ellen DeGeneres, talk show host, 1958
• Oprah Winfrey, talk show host, 1954 
• Christian Bale, actor, 1974
• Kerry Washington, actress, 1977 
• Justin Timberlake, singer/songwriter, 1981
• Shakira, singer, 1977
• Chris Rock, comedian, 1965 
• Tom Hiddleston, actor, 1981
• Michael B. Jordan, actor, 1987
• Jennifer Aniston, actress, 1969
• Megan Thee Stallion, singer/rapper, 1995
• The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), singer, 1990
• Elizabeth Olsen, actress, 1989
• Ed Sheeran, singer/musician, 1991
• Rainn Wilson, actor, 1966 
• Guy Fieri, celebrity chef, 1968 
• Ashton Kutcher, actor, 1978 
• Stephanie Beatriz, actress, 1981
• Michael Jordan, basketball player, 1963
• John Travolta, actor, 1954